#easthillsmall — Public Fediverse posts

Sad Sights in an Old River Town: St. Joe, MO

There are some cities that you know are struggling from reputation. Then there are others that surprise you when you visit them. St. Joseph, Missouri kind of falls somewhere in between these two classifications.

It was known that St. Joseph had been gradually losing population over the decades and that it is an old river town in economic decline since its heyday in the late 19th century. For example, the city’s poverty rate exceeds both that for Missouri and the nation as a whole by approximately 20 percent. Furthermore, educational attainment in St. Joseph beyond a high school degree trails the state and nation by significant margins (approximately 40-45 percent less). Even given that prior knowledge and those figures, the images were surprising.

Upon entering the city, we were welcomed by an aroma that came across as cooked corn while passing through the industrial segment of the city. While not obnoxious, it would probably get rather tiresome for those living in the vicinity.

Our first stop was at the Patee House Museum, which is an impressive 19th century hotel nows being employed as a historical museum. The purpose was to see/ride the historic carousel at the museum, though the building is best known as the original starting point of the famous Pony Express. While it has been well cared for, few buildings around it have been to any great extent. Abandoned and derelict dwellings and buildings abounded, even though many of them would likely also be considered historic.

Here are just a few of the ‘threadlines’ on the internet (and even a board on Pinterest) about abandoned buildings in St. Joseph:

• “Abandoned Saint Joseph Missouri” – pinterest.com

• “Abandoned in Saint Joseph, MO.” – facebook.com

• “Looking for a community with ample abandoned buildings, that are visually appealing? Look no further than st.joe. Found this gem, and many more on 3rd street.” – reddit.com

• “One of countless old, abandoned buildings in downtown St. Joseph, MO” – instagram.com

From Patee House we traveled to East Hills Mall to see another carousel. Unfortunately, too few of the homes along the way have been kept up well. Upon approaching the mall, the developments along the commercial strip were busy, but the surface parking lot at the mall itself was mostly empty. Only the J.C. Penney store appeared to be open and/or showing signs of some prosperous activity.

Darkened concourse looking from the entrance towards the food court on a Wednesday afternoon.

Once inside the mall, it appeared that its days are numbered with many empty and/or locked storefronts after in the late afternoon on a Wednesday. The same was true for the brightly lit carousel set alone in the darkened and nearly lifeless food court. Hopefully, the carousel will find a happy new home either elsewhere or at another location in St. Joseph if the mall were to close.

Lit carousel (not open for rides at the time) in the largely darkened food court on a Wednesday afternoon.

Other observations in the mall point to its potential demise, as the information desk sat empty and scores of fingerprints now adorn the glass doors and windows at the mall entrance. It seems doubtful that this once thriving shopping edifice will celebrate its 70th birthday in 2035 without a major rebound.

Fingerprints on the doorway

Just to put icing on this cake of our urban doldrum excursion, when leaving the mall’s parking lot, we were “treated” to what appeared to be a chase between a security person and a shoplifter coming out of the Penney’s store. Whoa!

They say first impressions are lasting. Given the albeit brief experience with St. Joseph, Missouri, the city will need to work hard to reverse those perceptions.

Peace!

#carousels #cities #decline #EastHillsMall #malls #Missouri #PateeHouseMuseum #StJoseph

Sad Sights in an Old River Town: St. Joe, MO

There are some cities that you know are struggling from reputation. Then there are others that surprise you when you visit them. St. Joseph, Missouri kind of falls somewhere in between these two classifications.

It was known that St. Joseph had been gradually losing population over the decades and that it is an old river town in economic decline since its heyday in the late 19th century. For example, the city’s poverty rate exceeds both that for Missouri and the nation as a whole by approximately 20 percent. Furthermore, educational attainment in St. Joseph beyond a high school degree trails the state and nation by significant margins (approximately 40-45 percent less). Even given that prior knowledge and those figures, the images were surprising.

Upon entering the city, we were welcomed by an aroma that came across as cooked corn while passing through the industrial segment of the city. While not obnoxious, it would probably get rather tiresome for those living in the vicinity.

Our first stop was at the Patee House Museum, which is an impressive 19th century hotel nows being employed as a historical museum. The purpose was to see/ride the historic carousel at the museum, though the building is best known as the original starting point of the famous Pony Express. While it has been well cared for, few buildings around it have been to any great extent. Abandoned and derelict dwellings and buildings abounded, even though many of them would likely also be considered historic.

Here are just a few of the ‘threadlines’ on the internet (and even a board on Pinterest) about abandoned buildings in St. Joseph:

• “Abandoned Saint Joseph Missouri” – pinterest.com

• “Abandoned in Saint Joseph, MO.” – facebook.com

• “Looking for a community with ample abandoned buildings, that are visually appealing? Look no further than st.joe. Found this gem, and many more on 3rd street.” – reddit.com

• “One of countless old, abandoned buildings in downtown St. Joseph, MO” – instagram.com

From Patee House we traveled to East Hills Mall to see another carousel. Unfortunately, too few of the homes along the way have been kept up well. Upon approaching the mall, the developments along the commercial strip were busy, but the surface parking lot at the mall itself was mostly empty. Only the J.C. Penney store appeared to be open and/or showing signs of some prosperous activity.

Darkened concourse looking from the entrance towards the food court on a Wednesday afternoon.

Once inside the mall, it appeared that its days are numbered with many empty and/or locked storefronts after in the late afternoon on a Wednesday. The same was true for the brightly lit carousel set alone in the darkened and nearly lifeless food court. Hopefully, the carousel will find a happy new home either elsewhere or at another location in St. Joseph if the mall were to close.

Lit carousel (not open for rides at the time) in the largely darkened food court on a Wednesday afternoon.

Other observations in the mall point to its potential demise, as the information desk sat empty and scores of fingerprints now adorn the glass doors and windows at the mall entrance. It seems doubtful that this once thriving shopping edifice will celebrate its 70th birthday in 2035 without a major rebound.

Fingerprints on the doorway

Just to put icing on this cake of our urban doldrum excursion, when leaving the mall’s parking lot, we were “treated” to what appeared to be a chase between a security person and a shoplifter coming out of the Penney’s store. Whoa!

They say first impressions are lasting. Given the albeit brief experience with St. Joseph, Missouri, the city will need to work hard to reverse those perceptions.

Peace!

#carousels #cities #decline #EastHillsMall #malls #Missouri #PateeHouseMuseum #StJoseph